Council recognised for ongoing support of Nottinghamshire's Armed Forces community

The council has received the highly-coveted Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for a further five years - which means it will continue to be part of a select group of organisations to hold the accreditation.

Speaking at Full Council on Thursday (19 March), Armed Forces Champion, Councillor (Dr) Kelvin Wright VR Col (retired), said: “The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is the highest honour for any council that provides exceptional and sustained support to the armed forces community.

“It reflects a strong commitment to reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, veterans, and their families.

“Nottinghamshire has a proud military heritage, and the council remains dedicated to strengthening the support we already offer, leading by example through employing members of the armed forces community, ensuring supportive policies for veterans and reservists, and maintaining active engagement with Defence Relationship Management representatives.

“We work with council services and key partners to ensure support is far reaching across the county.

“The Gold Award is not easily achieved, and we are proud of the fact that we continue to build and grow our support network. We remain focused on securing our next Gold Award in 2030.”

A new certificate was presented to Cllr Wright and Cllr Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, by Colonel Emil Tessem-Cotton at Full Council.

Cllr Justice said: "I am very pleased and proud that Nottinghamshire County Council is in receipt of the Defence Employers’ Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

"This represents five years of hard work and the enormous dedication of our officers and councillors in supporting veterans and reservists, and their families, as well as the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers."

Ahead of the presentation, Colonel (Retired) Mark Simpson - Defence Relationship Manager, at Defence Relationship Management, which works with organisations to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) - highlighted the council's tireless work to organise the hugely successful Boots and Beret Awards, as well as its ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and cadets in the county.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure today to re-present this award given the fact that Nottinghamshire County Council has had it already for five years.

“In those five years, it has been the beacon and the absolute epitome of gold standard and a gold-holding organisation. I thank Nottinghamshire County Council for its ongoing support and, indeed, for its support now.

“It is a huge accolade, and we are extremely grateful that you are going to hold it for another five years and continue to drive those values forward, so we thank you wholeheartedly from the military community for doing that.”